Utility of the Voice Handicap Index as an Indicator of Postthyroidectomy Voice Dysfunction

Comparison of transaxillary approach, retroauricular approach, and conventional open hemithyroidectomy: A prospective study at single institution

“…22,23 The VHI is the main indicator of overall post-thyroidectomy voice dysfunction, whereas MVP can objectively evaluate the type of postthyroidectomy voice disorder that most patients complain about, that is, the inability to phonate high pitch sounds as they could with their preoperative voice. 24 This study observed that the voice disorder was worse 1 month postoperatively and that the mean value of VHI recovered in all 3 operative approach groups. Of all the groups, conventional open thyroidectomy was followed by the highest VHI.…”

Minimal clinically important difference of voice handicap index‐10 in vocal fold paralysis

“…Some voice clinicians have previously relied on expert consensus to define a clinically meaningful change in the VHI‐10, but this approach has not been statistically validated and is not universally utilized at present . Similarly, Solomon et al determined that a change of 13 to 16 points on the 30‐item VHI was clinically significant, but this too was based on clinician judgment rather than patient report …”

Preoperative laryngoscopy in thyroid surgery: Do patients' subjective voice complaints matter?

“…13,14 Many groups are evaluating the efficacy of less invasive means of screening for vocal cord dysfunction before and after thyroid surgery, including voice questionnaires and ultrasonographic evaluation of cord function. 13,[15][16][17][18] The majority of thyroid surgeons likely either lack time or choose not to use formal voice assessment methods preoperatively. We are strong proponents of surgeon-performed, in-office ultrasonography.…”